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Bags used in jail restroom per protocol

From staff reports
9:22 a.m. CDT May 9, 2014

Six months after assuming responsibility for the Escambia County Jail, county officials are taking steps to improve conditions at the facility. In a scathing five-year investigation that concluded in May, the U.S. Department of Justice determined that conditions at the jail led to regular violations of inmates? constitutional rights. Katie King/kking@pnj.com Six months after assuming responsibility for the Escambia County Jail, county officials are taking steps to improve conditions at the facility. In a scathing five-year investigation which concluded last May, the U.S. Department of Justice determined that conditions at the jail had led to regular violations of inmates' constitutional rights.(Photo: Katie King/kking@pnj.com)

A statement from Escambia County officials said that there was a loss of water service at central booking prior to a suspected gas explosion April 30, and employees followed protocol by instructing inmates to place small plastic bags into their toilet bowl before use.

Protocol dictates that when there is a loss of water service at the jail, those working and being held in the facility are directed to limit water usage until water service can be restored by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, the statement said.